THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – SURVIVING CHRISTMAS WITH THE RELATIVES (2018)

 

Miranda (Gemma Whelan) and Dan (Julian Ovenden) and their children live in the run down, rambling country house inherited from her recently deceased parents which they run as a small holding.

Despite its dilapidated, work in progress, state with a team of polish builders’ resident on site, they have invited a house full for Christmas.

Mirandas fading Hollywood actress sister Lyla (Joely Richardson), her alcoholic/drug addict husband Trent (Michael Landes) and their children, Dans oversexed half-sister Vicky (Ronni Ancona), his ex-wife Miriam (Sally Phillips) and addict son Harry (Jonas Moore),

Aunt Peggy (Patricia Hodge) and Uncle John (James Fox), to name but a few.

So, a chaotic Christmas ensues with old sibling rivalry, family squabbles, drunkenness, drug abuse, and infidelities all of which threaten to sabotage the season of goodwill.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – THE SANTA SUIT (2010)

 

Drake Hunter (Kevin Sorbo) is CEO of Hunter Toys, turned the company he inherited from his father, from a cosy quality manufacturer into a ruthless, uncaring, profit hungry business.

He employed all the production line staff on 39 hour weeks therefore avoiding the need to provide full benefits and he was no better during the holidays he showed his staff no festive generosity, no bonuses or time off.

However he gets the scrooge treatment when he meets who he presumes is one of the store Santa’s, Kris Krandall (Derry Robinson), who magically transforms Drake into a likeness of himself and as no one recognizes him as CEO he is forced to live in a shelter run by Nancy Baxter (Jodie Dowdall) and work as a Santa for Norm Dobson (Jason Blicker) in his toy store, with weird would be-actor Sebastian (Darrell Faria) as his Elf.

While working at the store he meets a quiet young girl called Gemma (Brianna Daguanno) and between his interaction with her and the kind and gentle influence of Nancy at the shelter he reassesses his values and priorities in life.

ALL-TIME CLASSIC MOVIE FAVOURITES – GROUNDHOG DAY (1993)

 

“Groundhog Day” is a comedy, screenplay by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis, and Directed by Harold Ramis.

TV weatherman Phil (Bill Murray) reluctantly has to do an outside broadcast in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on Groundhog Day, to cover the story about, what he calls, a weather forecasting “rat”, Punxsutawney Phil, who is in fact a Groundhog.

Furthermore, it’s his fourth year on the story, and he makes no effort to hide his displeasure.

But he travels to Pennsylvania anyway with Producer Rita (Andie MacDowell) and Cameraman Larry (Chris Elliott) and dutifully fulfils his obligation while barely concealing his contempt for the whole event.

And that night when he went to bed, he consoled himself that it was only one day, but on awaking the following morning he discovers that it's Groundhog Day again, and again, and again.

At first, he uses this anomaly to his advantage, to seduce women, be outrageous, be obnoxious, all without consequence, but eventually he comes to the realisation that he is doomed to spend the rest of eternity in the same place, seeing the same people, do the same thing every day, unless he can change, if not the day, then himself.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – A CHRISTMAS LOVE STORY (2012)

 

Family friends Sam Reed (Dustin Milligan) and Kat Patton (Danica McKellar) spend every Christmas Eve at the Children's Table from the age of three.

Over the years they grew up together, sharing the highs and lows of young adulthood.

But at the age of thirty, Sam realizes that Kat is the one...but he's afraid that the past will get in the way.

A real gem of a Christmas movie and Danica McKellar is an absolute delight.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – A CHRISTMAS CAROL (2009)

 

Jim Carrey stars as miser Ebenezer Scrooge in this animate retelling of Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol”.

The classic tale in which he is taught the true meaning of Christmas by three Spirits who visit him, revealing to him the truth about his own miserable existence, what opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current catalogue of cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways.

Scrooge is faced with his own story of growing bitterness and meanness, and must decide what his own future will hold, death or redemption.

The film also features the vocal talents of Steve Valentine, Daryl Sabara, Sage Ryan, Amber Gainey, Ryan Ochoa, Bobbi Page, Ron Bottitta, Sammi Hanratty, Julian Holloway, Gary Oldman, Colin firth, Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Molly C Quinn, Fay Masterson, Leslie Zemeckis, Paul Blackthorne, Michael Hyland, Kerry Hoyt, Julene Renee, Fionnula Flanagan, Raymond Ochoa, Callum Blue, Matthew Henderson, Aaron Ranke, Sonie Fortag, Aliane Baquerot, Seth Belliston, Troy Edward Bowles, Sam J Cahn, Kelly Connolly,

John R Corella, Kelly Crandall, Sheri Griffith, Beckie King, Keith Kuhl, Allison Leo, Tarah Paige, John Todd, Patrick Wetzel. Eva La Dare, Jacquelyn Dowsett and Suzanne C Robertson.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – TRUMAN CAPOTE’S ONE CHRISTMAS

 

Based on an autobiographical short story by Truman Capote, this story is about Buddy (T.J. Lowther), an 8-year old boy who leaves Alabama in 1930 to go and live with his father (Henry Winkler) in New Orleans, and has a terrible time while he is there.

His father is a con man trying to raise money for his latest get rich quick scheme and prays on wealthy middle-aged women flattering his way into their cheque books and one of those frustrating his plans is matriarch Cornelia Beaumont (Katharine Hepburn) and as he faces one setback after another there is an uneasy relationship between father and son.

Henry Winkler puts in a fine dramatic performance, as he ranged from loving father to con man, to angry and misunderstood outsider, Katharine Hepburn is a touch of class in her final performance and a brief appearance from Julie Harris is a glimmer of light.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – SANTA JR

Santa's son (Nick Stabile) tries to follow in his father's footsteps, and anxious to prove his worth, he decides to clamber down a few chimneys just prior to Christmas Eve.

Alas, his efforts coincide with a string of burglaries, and Nick is promptly arrested by cops Daryl Bedford (Judd Nelson) and Norm Potter (George Wallace).

So although he was delivering toys, he is arrested for trespassing and is placed under house arrest.

As Nick frets away the hours before Christmas, Bedford grows attached to Nick's court-appointed attorney, Susan Flynn (Lauren Holly) -- and inevitably, the real burglar strikes again.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – A CHRISTMAS HERO

 

Firefighter Jenny Jenkins (Anna Hutchison) falls in love with local star Tom Norris (Marcus Rosner) but his ex-wife and celebrity figure skating champion Mary Hamilton (Anita Brown) is asking him to choose between reconciling or going through an ugly custody battle, but she has an ulterior motive.

But Jenny’s natural warmth and kindness to the community starts to convince everybody that her love for Tom is real however Mary's fierceness is more powerful than anything Jenny has ever faced before so who will Tom choose in the end?

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – SANTA’S SECRET

A single mom, Nicky Talbot (Alicia Witt) is going from door to door to find a job and boost her finances but without success.

Then a friend tells her that a big store is hiring so she goes along and gets a holiday job at Cartwright’s department store but not as floor staff, she gets the job as Santa Claus in the grotto.

This was achieved when an angel, Harry Osbourne (Wallace Shawn) entered her life and brought about some positive changes, including the spark of a new romance.

She of course was unaware that he was an angel and she thought he was from corporate.

Her head elf in the grotto was Peg (Linda Kash) and she thought Nicky was wonderful in fact everyone loved Santa Nick, except the evil Fiona Aldrich (Gabrielle Miller) who was her boss.

Nicky’s daughter Becky (T.J. McGibbon) is cute without being precocious and the love interest is supplied very ably by department head Bill (Gabriel Hogan) and her landlady Mrs. Rositani is played by the excellent Jayne Eastwood.

This is a great film, believable yet magical and any Christmas film with an Angel in it gets my vote.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – CHRISTMAS COMES HOME TO CANAAN

 

In the Texas town of Canaan, Daniel Burton (Billy Ray Cyrus) finds that his son Bobber (Liam James) needs extensive orthopaedic surgery and months of intensive physical therapy to recover as a result of being run down by a car.

Fortunately help is at hand in the form of Rodney Freeman (Matt Ward), the young black man who Daniel took into his home and raised as his own son, who has become a famous writer and he immediately offers to fly Daniel and Bobber to San Francisco and to pay for the surgery.

Once in San Francisco, Daniel meets and falls for Briony Adair (Gina Holden), a physical rehabilitation specialist who will be working toward Bobber's recovery but when the therapy progresses slowly, Bobber invites Briony to come home to Canaan to spend Christmas with the Burtons and continue his treatment.

Briony accepts the offer and is welcomed by the family all except Sarah (Emily Tennant), Daniel's daughter who distances herself because she doesn’t want to dishonour her late mother's memory.

But Daniel and Briony try to rise above it but a disastrous Christmas ensues and drives them apart.

So, in the soul searching that follows, will Daniel find the strength to open his heart again and invite love back into his life or will he settle for the status quo.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER –KEY TO MY HEART

 

Sean Tucker (Mark Lutz), who runs an advertising agency in New York City, and Owen Harrison (J.T. Hodges), a small-town handyman and musician, swap homes for the holidays. Mia (Cristina Rosato) works for Sean and is asked to help Owen get settled into his new apartment while Ryan Harrison (Tricia Helfer) meets Sean after Owen asks her to fix a broken heater, and then finds herself helping Sean find the charm of living in a small town.

Holiday romance ensues in the charming Christmas tale with misunderstandings soul-searching and secrets along the way. 

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – ANGEL IN THE FAMILY

 

Sarah (Tracey Needham) and her estranged sister Beth (Natasha Gregson Wagner) are reunited after their father Buddy (Ronny Cox) suffers a mild stroke.

Buddy, who's never accepted the loss of his wife Lorraine (Meredith Baxter), wants only one thing and that is to return home for Christmas.

With sweet memories of a life gone by, Sarah makes an impossible wish that her mother could be there too and by morning it is as if a winter prayer had been answered and bearing a message of hope, healing, and everlasting love, a miracle has arrived in the form of their mother Lorraine. 

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – THE CHRISTMAS STAR (1986)

 

Horace McNickle (Edward Asner) is a cynical two-time felon serving prison time for counterfeiting, but his counterfeit money is hidden somewhere in a department store.

On the week before Christmas, he escapes from prison dressed as Santa Claus and due to his uncanny resemblance to St. Nick as a result from his long white beard and heavyset features he very much looks the part.

When Horace hides out from the police in a nearby suburban neighbourhood he is befriended and helped by two local children who think he is the real Santa Claus and he takes advantage of their naivety to help him get his booty but he develops feelings for his two con victims and that make him slowly comprehend the true nature of Christmas.

Rene Auberjonois and Fred Gwynne also star in this gem of a Disney production.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – A DREAM FOR CHRISTMAS (1973)

 

In 1950 Los Angeles, the struggling Hoover Street Baptist Church calls Rev. Will Douglas (Hari Rhodes) of Arkansas to serve as its pastor, with his wife Sarah (Lynn Hamilton), his mother Bessie (Beah Richards), and his four children, he crosses the country just before Christmas in his late father's 1941 Ford woody wagon, which just barely makes the trip to a poor church in California where the congregation is drifting away and the church itself is scheduled for demolition.

Will there be a Christmas miracle?

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – A GOLDEN CHRISTMAS 2: THE SECOND TAIL

 

Lisa Haynes (Julie Gonzalo) has moved to Florida with three darling golden retriever pups and at once makes friends with the nice couple next door, Rod and Katherine Wright (Bruce Davison and Alley Mills) and their adult golden retriever.

The three become so close, in fact, that Lisa feels comfortable telling them how her love life is not running smoothly and her heart was broken long ago.

But old flames reunite and sparks are reignited at Christmastime in Florida, but the man David (K.C.Clyde) is already engaged to Kelly Jansen (Kelly Stables) but love finds a way with the help of their dogs.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – FINDING FATHER CHRISTMAS (2016)

 

Christmas for Miranda (Erin Krakow) is a painful reminder of the family she never had.

Her mother died at Christmas when she was young, never revealing the identity of her father.

But, three days before Christmas, she unexpectedly received a clue as to his whereabouts that takes her to a beautiful New England town where she meets Ian (Niall Matter), a young man who helps with her search and love blossoms between them.

But when clues lead to her father's identity she faces a terrible decision, should she share the truth or keep the secret forever?

Whichever way Christmas promises to be life-changing for Miranda with a new chance at life and love.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – SINGLE SANTA SEEKS MRS CLAUS

 

Nick junior (Steve Guttenberg) has always known that he needs to find a wife but he planned to let fate bring his wife to him, but those plans had to be altered because time was running out and he must replace his father as Santa Claus on December 26.

Ernest (Armin Shimerman), the right-hand man to several generations of Santa’s, generates a list of potential mates and Nick dutifully sets off to meet them, but fate may have a candidate for him after all when he meets Beth (Crystal Bernard).

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – MOONLIGHT AND MISTLETOE

 

Holly Crosby (Candace Cameron Bure) grew up in her father’s old-fashioned all-year Christmas village Santaville, and working as a mere elf on Christmas preparations all year round killed Holly's seasonal spirit so she moved out after feeling neglected following her mother’s death, to become a Boston toy firm's hardest-working sales executive.

But when Nick (Tom Arnold) has a bad fall, Holly returns to help out and finds Santaville outdated and near bankruptcy despite a lot of generous help, especially from shy Peter (Christopher Wiehl).

Holly tries everything to save it, but the solution appears like manna from heaven when a plan proposed by charming financial advisor Ben Richards (Matt Walton) but is it too good to be true.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – A PUPPY FOR CHRISTMAS

 

Noelle (Cindy Busby) has the perfect life with a successful job, a handsome boyfriend and the life of her dreams but after adopting a cute puppy, Noelle's world is turned upside down when her boyfriend breaks up with her and she and her puppy are facing Christmas alone.

Accepting an invitation to spend the holidays with her co-worker, Liam (Greyston Holt), she is surrounded by the Christmas cheer of a warm, happy family and sparks soon begin to fly between Noelle and her host as the warmth of the season ignites something between them.

But when Noelle’s estranged boyfriend Todd (Christopher Russell) tracks her down and proposes, in an attempt to win her back, Noelle must decide which life she wants, will it be the safe, successful world she knows, or an unpredictable future with the man who is quickly winning her heart?

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – LOVE ALWAYS, SANTA (2016)

 

Celia Banks (Marguerite Moreau) lost her husband on Christmas Day and never thought she’d fall in love again, so she lived the three years following her loss making her entire world revolve around taking care of her daughter Lilly (Isadora Swann).

But Lilly writes a letter to Santa expressing just one wish and that was for her mom to be happy and to find love again.

A struggling writer Jake (Mike Faiola) makes extra money by answering “Dear Santa” letters and when he receives the letter from Lilly, he finds new inspiration and it signals the beginnings of a romance.